The Effects of Sildenafil Citrate on Ischemic Colonic Anastomotic Healing in Rats: Its Relationship Between Nitric Oxide and Oxidative Stress

Background The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of sildenafil citrate on normal and ischemic colon anastomosis in the rat model by measuring the levels of blood and colonic tissues nitric oxide, thiobarbituric acid reactive substrates (as a marker of lipid peroxidation), and glutathione (as an antioxidant). Methods Normal (group 1 and 3) and ischemic anastomosis (group 2 and 4) were performed in four equal rat groups ( n = 14). Orally 10 mg/kg per day of sildenafil citrate therapy were applied in group 3 and group 4 after operation. Seven rats of the each group were killed on postoperative days 3 and 7. Results Sildenafil citrate therapy was resulted in elevated nitric oxide levels in both normal and ischemic anastomotic tissues ( p